“We are grateful for the support from the Guild Hall and the new principal sponsor, the Cumberland Building Society which has enabled the festival to continue when a number of festivals have folded recently.”

The events run every night from Thursday 1 October to Sunday 18 October, a full programme can be seen on the Arts Festival website.

It is officially launched by Mayor of Preston councillor Margaret McManus in te Preston Minster on the afternoon of Sunday 4 October.

This will be followed by a free concert with music from the Red Rosettes ladies barbershop chorus, pianist Graham Jackson and the Preston Musical Comedy Show Choir.

Will you be going to any events during the Arts Festival? Are you performing? Let us know in the comments below